Procter & Gamble’s TAG brand, JD and Island Def Jam, recently joined forces with the Hip Hop Summit Action Network (HSAN) to name five recipients of the first ever TAG Make History National Grants
Program.

A panel of celebrity judges including hip-hop stars Jermaine Dupri, Russell Simmons, Ne-Yo, and Grammy-award winners MC Lyte and Chili were on hand to honour individuals who have made their mark bettering society.

After a nationwide search scouring more than 100 college campuses, the chosen student winners each received a $10,000 grant for their exceptional progress in a cross-section of fields ranging from science to the arts.

Dr. Benjamin Chavis, President and CEO of HSAN said

“As a result of Procter & Gamble’s outstanding corporate leadership, an effective and productive alliance was developed with Island Def Jam, one of the world’s leading recording labels, along with help from hip-hop icon Jermaine Dupri, the Hip-Hop Summit Action Network and the National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education …Through this partnership we can honor what hip hop is all about and bestow valuable grants to the five most deserving college student leaders who are making history.”

Russell Simmons added

“When we’re doing something bad the media is always showing up. But doing what we always do it’s not newsworthy, so thank you AllHipHop for being here,” Simmons acknowledged. “The poet or artist was never liked in society ever. They give back a different inspiration by being the mirrors of our dirt. People don’t like that. But the artists see the contradictions in the world around us.”